WEEKEND FORECAST

My forecast this weekend is that I will be hunkered down inside my home hooking.  Hopefully I won't lose power and will have a warm house since there was a propane delivery last week for the furnace.  

This is an update of progress (or lack of) on Shadow Sleighride.  Like Lauren, I'm never happy with how little has been hooked.  I'm going to try to do something in those 2 empty spaces between trees.  Am going to attempt making it appear as tho there are trees in the distance.  Hope it works.

Now for the weekend weather forecast ~ As most of the US is experiencing or about to experience, here is the winter weather advisory for my area.  Seaford is in the purple area so I'm expected to be inundated with between 6-12" of snow.  THEN...after that comes thru, there will  be a rain/sleet mix (see the green color behind the host) which will be on top of the snow.

I've already put out my driveway and property markers for when, if when, a neighbor snow blows or plows.  Have heard the snow will be heavy so this might cause limbs and trees to fall and possibly cause power outages.  Sure hope not. 

Hope everyone has something to keep them occupied and this time I do have hot chocolate in my cabinet.  Happy hooking.

Saundra

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RUGS ON DISPLAY

This antique rug is a familiar one which is being auctioned again and expected to get between $3,000- $4,000 for it.  You can check out the auction HERE.  It has also been on my 'to hook' list in the past and think I'll put it back on.  Sheesh, I'll have to live at least another decade or longer to hook all the rugs on my list.

Said to be hooked around 1870 and measures 38 x 44.5.  

Dog, which I think is a Boxer, hooked early 20th century (19 x 40).

This is an attractive floral circa 1900.  With the size of 10 x 12.5 it may have been a chair pad, or perhaps a stool cover.

Farm landscape with cow and barn and dimensions of 19 x 35.5.  No mention of date and have no idea if those are initial at the bottom right or something else.

This could easily be a view from my kitchen window in the spring ~ a deer eating tree leaves.  Dated 1922 with dimensions of 37 x 56.  It is hooked with cotton and various other textile strips as I saw the back on the auction site.  Awesome to see how much detail she got with those strips of rags.

Having a blog seems like work sometimes, but also has its perks.  I've met people thru my blog I'd never have an opportunity to know without it.  Because of my blog, a woman searched on line for initials on a rug which was part of a group she purchased at auction.  Those initials were BEM.  

Her main focus were the other two rugs as she knew the people ~ Cleland E Selby and Suzanne both of whom were rug hookers.  But she wanted to know about this "BEM" name.  And so she found me on the internet as I've written about Barbara Merry numerous times.  

As I look at the bottom rug in the photo below, I'm thinking the 'S' in the lion's tail and those around the lion's mane are the initial of Cleland Selby.

Am glad Donna found me as she shared this photo of a rug I've not previously seen hooked by BEM.  Plus, I learned about the Selby's.

Turns out Donna is also a rug hooker and has taught her granddaughter how to hook.

An update on the Hearts Hook-along I hosted ~ Jo Smith has completed the hooking and now just needs to steam and bind it.  She was the last to join the hook-along but came thru quickly with her finish.  The wide wool surrounding the hooked rug is what she will use for binding.  And just in time for Valentines Day Jo.  Congratulations.  

Snow storm predicted here for the weekend but finally inches not fully known.  Sometimes it ends up with just flurries but not so sure that will be the case this weekend.  But I'll play it safe and prepare for the worse.  And I always have wool and hook to keep me occupied.

Saundra

www.facebook.com/woodlandjunctionhookedrugs

WHAT'S ON MY FRAME?

If you thought I'd choose this one, you were right.  Besides, it is "Year of the Horse" according to the Chinese Lunar calendar.

I've only recently begun hooking and wasn't sure if I wanted to hook a snowy ground or dark as in the antique.   Afterall, a sleigh slides on snow.  But a sleigh ride in the shadows has much more mystery and excitement, doesn't it?  So Shadow Sleighride it is.

You will notice I reduced the depth of the ground by about 1" from the original antique.  Not sure if I'll regret that or not but could always add a couple extra hooked rows later if I do.  Something else bothering me is the disjointed lines behind the horse's neck.  Am thinking it may have been intended as part of the rein system.  So not sure how I'll handle that yet, but did draw it in.

Saundra

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A FAVORITE RUG

Do you have a favorite rug you've hooked?  Has anyone ever asked you that question?  If so, did you have a clear and direct reply?  Probably not, just like me.  Usually I say, "the one I'm hooking".

Truth is I have many favorite rugs and some I've hooked which weren't.  For me there are favorites in different categories and I'll give you two examples today.  My favorite rug hooked with teacher was Kinderhook Basket which was hooked in my first class with Barb Carroll.  Numerous times I've looked at it for lessons learned with Barb that day and how she used values and color.  Here is that rug hooked in 2008.

While I've hooked numerous rugs with Barb, that one is my favorite.  Must admit there are a couple least favorite rugs hooked with a teacher and perhaps one day will show you those.  One I sold years ago and usually like to keep the teacher taught rugs.

The rug I'm most proud of isn't what you would think.  It happened out of the blue and with a pattern I didn't have a clue how to color plan.  Actually it was to be taken to Barb's and have her do the color planning for me.  But my ex couldn't take care of my big boy Ben and couldn't find anyone or anywhere to board him.  So had to cancel my class with Barb.

However, I decided to work on it anyway, while my friends were having fun attending class in Ligonier with Barb I'd be hooking the rug I'd planned but alone at home.  That happened to be a pattern called Gossip, sold by Woolley Fox and designed by Bill Laraway.  

Part of my problems were the little odd critters.  So decided to take a little creative license and make changes.  Obviously it is still a Bill Laraway design, not mine, but made it more to my liking.  Here is a photo of the pattern and the beginning of my changes.

Okay, made some bird changes.  But was trying to decide if those were leaves on each side and bottom.  Guess that's what they were intended for as someone else thought so too and this is how she hooked hers.  Hooked the leaves Magdalena style.

Me?  I didn't see them as leaves; I envisioned them as feathers, after all there are several birds perched there.  And so here is my adaptation of Gossip hooked 2017.

This is  how the label on the back reads....

Happy weekend, happy hooking.

Saundra

DOWN TO THE WIRE

I've still haven't decided on my next rug pattern yet, but Dahlia is all hooked.  Last evening I started binding it since there's no new pattern on my frame and needed/wanted something to work on.  Talk about hooking down to the wire.  Hate when that happens.

Today my task will be to decide on and enlarge a pattern for my frame. I sorta think I've made up my mind and here are a few which are being auditioned.  The blue birds I posted previously.

This antique floral below was on my 'to hook list' several years ago.  Guess I didn't draw it because the top part of the rug was not visible.  And will be a pain, not impossible tho, to just duplicate what's on the bottom on top of  the design. 

Big dog little house is very interesting with the tiny critters above and side of the house and hooking the background would certainly not be boring.

Of course this year, the 250th anniversary of America, the design below would be apropos.  But haven't decided if I'd follow this same color plan or change it up a bit.  Red, white and blue are our colors.

And last, a blast from the past I'd almost forgotten about, horse drawn sleigh.  So I've dusted it off and put it in the file as a potential project.

Guess I'd better get off'n this contraption and made a decision as I can't go another evening without a rug on my frame.  Which means I've still a mess to clean up around the hooking spot before that can happen.  

 
Saundra

NEW WINDOW SCAPE

Decided it was time to change the view of my window scape.  It is daylight right now so after this photo I removed the rug and it will go back up this evening when I'm sitting at the window hooking.

It is an antique adaptation hooked in 2024, with a blotchy background I love so much.  The previous window scape rug, deer and blue house, was then placed on the harvest table to enjoy just a little longer.

The Kaleidoscope Dahlia rug still isn't finished and haven't decided on my next major adaptation to hook.  But, have had visions of Magdalena running thru my mind.  I've hooked numerous Magdalena rugs, 9 of which are hanging on my walls and the big Eagle design is at the front door as the welcome rug.

Another time when having a Magdalena urge, I designed and hooked the Crow Magdalena style.  It is smallish at 13 x 16 and see it every day in my kitchen.  

Perhaps my temporary next fix will be another smallish Magdalena style piece with a  different critter as the subject.  Guess you might even call that my plus one before the main one is decided.  

Time for me to pull more loops on Dahlia, it's almost lunchtime and I haven't pulled one loop.  Have been wasting time searching antique rugs for inspiration.  Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.facebook.com/woodlandjunctionhookedrugs

LOOKING FOR THE NEXT ONE

I'm getting close enough to the end of my present project that a search for the next project will soon be critical.  Meanwhile will post a couple recent antique rug finds.

This recently found rug of blue birds would be a good one to give me spring thoughts.  Circa 1900, dimensions of 19 x 46.

No date was provided on this floral.  It has an abstract appeal to it and  hooked on burlap (24 x 40).

You know I have an affinity for horses but that yellow color is a total turn off.  I'd question my color choices in an attempt to make it pretty.  Measures 23 x 36.5 and no date was given.

A dog rug dated 1927 hooked in the rug, measures 28.5 x 39.

An antique rug hooked with nylons and rags purchased by April.

A basket of flowers said to be hooked 20th century.   

A busy rug with birds and patriotic colors.  It is hooked, knotted, stitched and patched.  It measures 28 x 46 but auction house didn't provide a date.

Below is a photo of the back where you can see it was hooked in segments and stitched together.

That's it for this show folks.  Back to my Dahlia and tomorrow back on a search for the next one.

Saundra

www:facebook.com/woodlandjunctionhookedrugs 

THIS and THAT

To start I'll show you a couple old rugs.  For you chicken rug folks here are a pair of roosters facing off.  Sorry, no date provided but it looks to have some age.

Described as a fat dog, this rug was said to be hooked between 1890-1920.  It measures 33 x 39.5 textiles used are cotton on burlap.

The rug below of fur, feathers ..and a fish, I have no clue about.  But saw it somewhere and loved it.  Is it an oldie or did someone with great skills to make it look old hooked it?  If anyone seeing this knows, please advise.

Switching channels now to homeownership.  You may recall this photo I posted after a large limb fell on the side of my newly shingled home with new leaf guard protection.  Yup, couldn't have happened before the work was done.  Here is the damage.

I called the company who did my roof and gutter work, told them about the damage and asked if someone could drop by and give me an estimate to repair.  Within a couple days the owner did drop by, evaluated the situation and said he'd give me a call with an estimate.

Weeks went by and no call back.  So decided to call a local handyman who has done work in the neighborhood. 

A day or so later the roofing owner finally returned my call and said I'd need new gutters, new leaf filters and cost would be $1,200.  WHAT?????  That's when I told him I'd called someone else since I  hadn't heard from him in so long.

Frankly I didn't believe all that needed to be replaced.  Plus I did have 2 extra leaf filters left over from the original work.  Just in case it did need replacing I went outside and guesstimated the length of gutters and leaf filters that might be required and do my own cost analysis just for supplies.  The figures below are prices found on Lowe's web site.   

~ 10' brown gutters = $16

~ gutter hangers per each = $3

~ 16' Atlas gutter guard = $50

Yesterday the handyman dropped by and repaired the area using the same gutters and guards to the cost of $50.  Mark straightened out what was bent, tightened hangers of the gutter to the house and placed the bent shingles back over the guards.  He did explain that when it warms up the shingles will fall back down in place.  But they've been frozen in that bent upward position for weeks. 

Yup, $50 compared to $1,200.  Am pleased with the results and particularly the price.  As Lauren will probably comment..."welcome to homeownership".

 

Saundra

DECISION FINALLY MADE

Yes, finally decided which color wool to outline the corner petal bursts.  The top right side is what the test section looked like for me to choose from.  The bottom right is what I decided ~ I went for the gold.

Below is a photo of what it looks now and I'm happy with my decision.

I've a way to go on this project before even thinking about what is next on my frame.  Frankly there's not anything on my radar yet.

It is FRIGID here in Delaware and cannot imagine what those of you who live up 'nawth' are dealing with.  Last week I used 10% of my remaining in ground propane to heat the house and I keep the thermostat low.  Which means I'll need to order more propane next week because if I use another 10% the level will be at 30% or less.  Thankfully it will warm up a bit next week but winter isn't over so will still require more propane.

Lunch break is over so it's rug hooking time to help generate some heat in these hands by working with wool.  Happy hooking.

Saundra

MY RUG REVIEW of 2025

First I'd like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2026.  Now to my rug review which is inflated by one.  That is because the last loops of the rug below weren't hooked until 4 days into January 2025.  So felt guilty adding it to my 2024 count since it wasn't completely hooked in 2024.  The first rug finished January 4th was Magdalena's Animal Parade adaptation.

My next project was another big antique adaptation which I named Animals Great and Small.

The Deer Torsos adaptation was next on the frame.

Then decided to hook one third of a triptych patriotic antique rug, the Eagle section.

Again, another antique design was chosen to hook for my kitchen, the chicken pair with food bowl.  Robin had a lot of fun with my hooking of this one and I did a bit of reverse hooking.

Since Lauren was attending an event where she'd be doing some 'scrappy' hooking I decided to challenge myself too, at home.  Am not too pleased with my puny border design.  I believe the angled hooking directions altered the shape of what used to be a square piece of linen.

Appears that I was following the leader....Lauren, again.  She said her next project was going to be Ezra's Farm, a design by Cinnamon Creek.  So what does a follower do but follow. 😉  I did take some creative license and put a little patriotic flavor in mine.

A birdie told me that daughter-in-law love wished for a snowman rug for Christmas.  Since I'm selfish and only like hooking what I want, the Christmas gift was started in August, plenty of time for me to have it done by Christmas and have time to put it away when not in the mood.  This is my design and was made specifically for my girl Cathy.  The label on the back says just that.   Surprisingly it was finished way before Christmas and was fun to hook.

My next project was an antique adaptation commemorating a personal historical event.  A few of my paternal ancestors came to America (Baltimore in fact) on sailing ship The Ark.  There were originally two ships which sailed together known as The Ark and The Dove.  My family were on the Ark so I hooked that ship's image on the antique rug.  This is my adaptation which hangs on the wall.

Back to the animals ~ another antique adaptation which I named Farm Menagerie.

Then after posting one of my antique rug shows Lauren and I decided to do a hook along with a design I called 'Hearts and Squares' in the blog post.  What started out to be just the pair of us, Lauren thought  it would be more fun with more people.  Turned out 12 people joined and Hearts Hook-along was born.  This is my drab rendition but you can view what 10 of the 12 have accomplished HERE.  

The final hooked and bound rug of 2025 was the Geometric and Floral antique adaptation below.  When designing my adaptation from the original, a couple elements were removed, making it more eye appealing to me.  Someone wanted me to draw a pattern for them but I declined as it was a bear to draw my own.  But boy do I love the rug.

As mentioned in the opening paragraph, the dozen rugs is inflated due to  the first rug which needed 4 more days' hooking into 2025.  Lauren suggested that if the count bothered me that much perhaps I should say only 11.25 rugs were hooked in 2025.  That girl is always thinking.  

Wishing all of you a happy and healthy 2026.  Remember that happiness must be grown in your own garden.  For me, hooking rugs is the seed.

Saundra